Papillon PRA Research
New DNA Testing for Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Type One in Papillons:
Identification of gene mutation makes screening possible
Researchers at the at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary
Medicine (MSU CVM) have developed a DNA-based test to detect one of the
types of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in papillons. The test was developed
after the team discovered a gene mutation for this form of PRA in papillons.
Dr. Simon Petersen-Jones, Dr Vet Med, PhD, CVM professor, and Myers-Dunlap
Endowed Chair in Canine Health, and PhD Student Paige Winkler in the MSU
CVM Comparative Ophthalmology Lab identified the gene mutation. Dr. Kari
Ekenstedt, DVM, PhD, at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls collaborated
with the MSU team on this research. Support from the Papillon Club of America
and Papillon owners and breeders made the work possible.
There is more than one type of PRA in papillons. This form is being called PRA
Type 1 (PRA1).
PRA1 causes the earlier onset form of the disease, resulting in night
blindness and a slowly progressive retinal degeneration.
PRA1 is recessively inherited—for a dog to be affected it has to inherit the
mutated gene from both its parents and is therefore homozygous for the
mutated version of the gene.
Click here for more information on the Genetics website